Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles Blu-ray
ReviewJeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce,
1080 Bruxelles is the critically acclaimed debut feature-length
film from filmmaker Chantal Akerman (Hotel
Monterey, A Couch in New York,
No Home Movie). The film was a
groundbreaking production which presented its subject in a way never
before seen in a feature-film.

Jeanne Dielman (Delphine Seyrig) is a widowed housewife who now lives
only with her teenage son Sylvain Dielman (Jan Decorte). Jeanne spends
her day mostly working around their house: taking care of cleaning the
dishes, preparing dinner, organizing, and tidying up. She has a set
routine she sticks to and largely goes about her daily household
business. It is only interrupted briefly in the afternoon, when she
prostitutes herself to help pay the bills. Her son, oblivious to her
prostitution, doesn't realize their financial situation and still
expects her to clean, cook, and serve him dinner each night. He goes to
school and reads his paper and books each night.

The film was both critically lauded and rejected by many audience
members when it first premiered. The film purposefully meanders and is
told as a sometimes glacial pace. At 3 1/2 hours long, the film mostly
consists of the audience experiencing the life of Jeanne Dielman as she
cleans, cooks, and tends to the house. The film only briefly has
sequences with Jeanne Dielman and her son having discussions. We learn
about how she became widowed, we hear a letter written to her by a
friend which she reads to her son, and we see her exchange brief
conversation when mailing a letter and going out to find a
clothing-repair person.

Yet the film is not boring. Instead, it is an absorbing, thoughtful,
and masterful filmmaking experience from a brilliant filmmaker. Every
frame and sequences is so meticulously done that it's clear Chantal
Akerman had a precise vision for this film. The experience is truly
stunning. While some audience members rejected the film for its long
scenes of Jeanne Dielman washing dishes, cleaning, and cooking it's
clear the film is a deep and thoughtful exploration of the lives of
women who had to do such housework on a daily basis, and which had
never before been presented in such a precise, clear way in filmmaking.

Chantal Akerman stated the inspiration for the film was from her
mother's work in the kitchen and around her house which she grew up
seeing. She wanted to present these daily, repetitive tasks so many
women have had to do and shine a light on them as undervalued aspects
of life. The story does take some surprising twists and turns along the
way and it makes for a riveting experience. This film is a gripping
portrait which doesn't let you go.

The cinematography by Babette Mangolte (Seven Easy Pieces, La chambre, Hotel Monterey) is exquisite. The
style of the cinematography is superb and the framing is perfection.
The film is majestic to behold: like an exquisite painting. Mangolte
has a meticulous style here which is superb throughout. The use of
color is also mesmerizing and perfectly stylized for the story.

The art direction by Philippe Graff (Friday
or Another Day, Dying to Go
Home) also perfectly complements the rest of the filmmaking. The
house and atmosphere feels so genuine and it makes the film a more
compelling one.

The film was edited by Patricia Canino (The Choice, Colours for Tears). Though part of
an editors job is to make a film shorter, it is far from the only thing
an editor has to do: pacing is one of the most important aspects of
filmmaking. Even in a long film like this one, the pacing is an
important aspect. Canino did well to respect the creative approach of
director Akerman as the film is such a deep contemplation on space and
time. It makes the film that much more powerful that scenes most
editors would cut out are instead given time to be explored.

Though the typical thought for most films is quick cuts, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080
Bruxelles works wonders with long takes that don't cut away for
several minutes at a time, including a scene over 7 minutes long at the
end which is simply Jeanne Dielman sitting at a table and yet it is
utterly riveting. Akerman and Canino make the film more compelling
through this unique and visionary approach.

Written and Directed by Chantal Akerman, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080
Bruxelles is an ambitious, audacious, and confident film from a
brilliant filmmaker who articulated such a precise vision at the young
age of 25. Her work here is so impressive: filmmaking is rarely ever
this brilliant and visionary, let alone from a first-time feature
filmmaker. Akerman tells this story in a way that only she could have
done and the result is a lasting piece of cinema which is still
discussed to this day. This is unquestionably an important work of
cinema which should continued to be discovered and discussed. The work
of a master filmmaker.

The Blu-ray:Video:

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce,
1080 Bruxelles arrives on Blu-ray with an excellent 1080p high
definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of
1.66:1 widescreen. The film has received a new 2K digital restoration.
This is a superb presentation of the film. Criterion has done a
tremendous job restoring the film and it looks pristine with great
color depth, clarity, and detail. The cinematography by Babette
Mangolte shines on this excellent release.

Audio:

The film is presented with uncompressed lossless PCM audio in 24 bit
depth. This is a mono audio 1.0 presentation which preserves the
original sound design. Dialogue is crisp and easy to understand. Though
the film is mostly silent, the audio is well preserved and pristine
when the film has dialogue and sound.

Presented in French with English subtitles.Extras:

This release includes a booklet featuring an essay written by Ivone
Margulies.

On disc extras include:

Autour de Jeanne Dielman (69
min.,SD), a documentary shot by Sami Frey, edited by Agnes Ravel and
Chantal Akerman , was produced during the production of Jeanne Dielman,
23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, which showcases the process of
the direction. It's a great, must-see behind-the-scenes documentary
which even includes moments showcasing how the director and star
rehearsed several scenes.

Chantal Akerman: On Jeanne Dielman
(20 min., HD) is an interview with the writer-director about the film,
it's importance, and her lasting legacy as a filmmaker.

Chantal Akerman: On Filmmaking
(17 min., SD)is taken from the episode Chantal Akerman par
Chantal Akerman, where the filmmaker discusses her work and approach to
film and life. From the French program cinema de notre temps.

Chantal Akerman and Delphine Seyrig
(7 min., SD) are interviewed together in a segment from a French
television program which aired in 1976. The director and star of the
film discuss Jeanne Dielman and their views on the story and its
importance.

Babette Mangolte (23 min.,
HD), cinematographer of Jeanne Dielman, is interviewed about the film
and about her work with Akerman on several other films. She discusses
their meeting and working together over the years.

Natalie Akerman (28 min., SD),
Chantal Akerman's mother, is interviewed by her daughter about her
filmmaking and about Jeanne Dielman.

Saute Ma Ville (13 min., HD)
is a 1968 short film which shares many of the same ideas and themes of
Jeanne Dielman, which was the first short film made by director Chantal
Akerman, starring herself, made when she was 18. Includes optional
intro (1 min.) from Chantal Akerman.

Final Thoughts:

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce,
1080 Bruxelles is a rare work of art. It's a masterful film from
a brilliant filmmaker (whose vision as an artist is so clear and
precise). The film is unquestionably brilliant. It features a terrific
performance by Delphine Seyrig. The story has surprising turns that
keep it interesting and engaging to the end.

Criterion has released a must own Blu-ray featuring exceptional PQ/AQ
and an absorbing collection of supplements. As with all the best
releases by the Criterion Collection, the release is a great
educational resource for any budding artists or filmmakers interested
in the process. This is certainly a well-rounded release (which
includes Akerman's first short film), which fans of Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080
Bruxelles will appreciate seeing.

DVD Talk Collector Series.

Neil Lumbard is a lifelong fan of cinema, and a student who aspires to make movies. He loves writing, and currently does in Texas.